We also need this feature. We are migrating from an old ui technology to JavaFX on windows. Since the feature was available before, it also needs to be available after the migration. The ticket only states the ComboBox control, but this feature should also be available for the ChoiceBox. On the ComboBox the feature naturally only makes sense, when the ComboBox is not editable.

I modified the behavior of both classes to register an event listener monitoring when a letter or digit keys are pressed. If this is the case, the listener will check if there is a “prefixSelectionString” already in place on the control and add the pressed key to this string. The listener will then use this string to search the items of the ChoiceBox or ComboBox and select to first item that matches this prefix (ignoring case). A TimerTask is used to clear the “prefixSelectionString” after a certain time has passed, so the user can start from the beginning if he used an incorrect sequence.

Jonathan: I will send you the patch by mail and I kindly ask you to consider it.

Christoph Keimel (Inactive)
added a comment - 2015-04-27 01:08 We also need this feature. We are migrating from an old ui technology to JavaFX on windows. Since the feature was available before, it also needs to be available after the migration. The ticket only states the ComboBox control, but this feature should also be available for the ChoiceBox. On the ComboBox the feature naturally only makes sense, when the ComboBox is not editable.
I modified the behavior of both classes to register an event listener monitoring when a letter or digit keys are pressed. If this is the case, the listener will check if there is a “prefixSelectionString” already in place on the control and add the pressed key to this string. The listener will then use this string to search the items of the ChoiceBox or ComboBox and select to first item that matches this prefix (ignoring case). A TimerTask is used to clear the “prefixSelectionString” after a certain time has passed, so the user can start from the beginning if he used an incorrect sequence.
Jonathan: I will send you the patch by mail and I kindly ask you to consider it.

This can be looked at for JavaFX 9, but it is too late for 8u60, however I think for now it would be wise if you work on this as a contribution to a project such as ControlsFX (where it operates externally to the controls). This will allow for testing and feedback.

Jonathan Giles
added a comment - 2015-04-28 15:45 This can be looked at for JavaFX 9, but it is too late for 8u60, however I think for now it would be wise if you work on this as a contribution to a project such as ControlsFX (where it operates externally to the controls). This will allow for testing and feedback.